UAS Kinetic Mitigation Capabilities and Response for the DHS Science and Technology Directorate

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Procurement Operations (OPO) issues this Request for Information (RFI) on behalf of the DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), Office of Mission and Capability Support (MCS). DHS/S&T/MCS is conducting market research for industry to demonstrate kinetic mitigation capabilities, to include Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) denial, for countering small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS).

Results of this RFI will support a kinetic mitigation demonstration scheduled for November 2026. The purpose of this request is to collect and evaluate the current state of the market for kinetic mitigation systems of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) which minimize collateral effects. This RFI will be used to invite select capabilities to participate in two DHS funded sUAS mitigation demonstrations. The demonstrations will focus on the following:

Kinetic mitigation of Group 1 (0-20 lbs.) and Group 2 (21-55 lbs.) UASs. Develop scenarios or use cases in which kinetic mitigation could be used. Identify potential scenarios and outcomes from kinetic mitigation usage. Develop a methodology to measure and assess collateral effects. Establish and define risks of kinetic mitigation in the homeland security mission space.

The event will be a demonstration and will showcase kinetic mitigation capabilities to include but not limited to projectile, collision, containment, microwave, acoustic, laser, and non-nuclear electromagnetic pulse (NNEMP). The scenarios for countering the sUAS have been developed to reflect four broad DHS mission areas. The scenarios are designed to assess kinetic mitigation capabilities and potential collateral damage to friendly forces, bystanders, and/or property.

Potential risk measures include, but are not limited to, collateral damage from falling debris, missed target damage, electromagnetic damage, hazardous materials, risk to friendly forces, risks to populations, and risks to networked command-and-control capabilities. Finally, the demonstration will develop potential risk measures of kinetic mitigation, and kinetic mitigation performance measures of success.

The results will form the foundation for capability analysis, standards for risk analysis of kinetic mitigation usage, and baseline knowledge of kinetic C-UAS operations and use consequences.